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Best 2014 St. Patrick’s Day Bars in Washington, D.C.

March 6, 2014 8:00 AM

(credit: Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Whether you’re Irish or not, St. Patrick’s Day is a great time to learn all about the Irish history and culture. No to mention, it’s the perfect opportunity to get out and sample what the Irish are well known for—delicious foods, tasty drinks and warm hospitality. To get the full Irish experience, visit one of these D.C. bars and have a great St. Patrick’s Day.

For friendly service, tasty menu items and traditional Irish tunes, head on over to Nanny O’Briens Irish Pub. The laid-back restaurant and bar features a rotating beer menu and daily food and drink specials, including 50-cent wings on Wednesdays and $3.50 bloody Marys and mimosas on the weekends. Nosh on Irish cuisine, like the homemade beef stew with a side of Irish soda bread, or enjoy a plate of flavorful wings, the pub’s most popular menu item. Nanny O’Briens also features live music, trivia nights and unique special events, including the Walking Dead Happy Hour on Sundays.

Meaning “long ago,” Fado Irish Pub celebrates the well-known warm culture of the Irish with its selection of hearty foods, delicious drinks and friendly hospitality. Located near the ever-bustling Verizon Center, Fado’s offers its guests a cozy U-shaped bar to sit and enjoy the perfect pint with friends plus plenty of televisions to catch the latest Irish sporting event. Enjoy daily food and drink happy hour specials, including $2 off craft draughts, chow down on a plate of corned beef and cabbage or call it a night with a tasty chocolate brownie with Guinness ice cream. Fado Irish Pub also offers a special late night drink menu and special events like live music and pub parties every Friday night.

If a rowdy night out is no longer your cup of tea, consider swinging by Thomas Foolery, a whimsical restaurant and bar that’s guaranteed to take you back to your childhood days. Enjoy an adult beverage as you play popular toys and games from the 90s, like Jenga, Icebreaker and Etch-a-Sketch. Or challenge a friend to a Mario Kart duel on the Wii. Fill up on tasty kid-friendly meals like grilled cheese sandwiches and an adult ice cream float. To help take the edge off a bad day, order a drink using your best angry voice and get $1 off your drink during Angry Hour. Thomas Foolery also offers a variety of other crazy specials, including 10-percent off any item for doing the Carlton dance from “Fresh Prince of Bell Air.”

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with over 35 craft beers, 25 big screen televisions and awesome food and drink specials. Located near Union Station, the Union Pub offers daily food and drink specials, including $5 Jameson on Fridays and bottomless mimosas and bloody Marys on Saturdays and Sundays. It also plays host to a variety of special events, including Quizzo every Tuesday night. Grab a seat at the cozy bar or, if the weather is nice, head outside to the largest open patio on Capitol Hill. Need a hangover cure? Union Pub also offers a tasty brunch menu, including a filet Benedict, chicken and waffles and a mac n’ cheese omelet.

For a taste of Ireland in the heart of D.C., Mackey’s Public House is the place to be. The popular full-service restaurant and bar features traditional Irish fare, including shepherd’s pie and fish and chips, plus Irish libations like Guinness. If you’re not in the mood for Irish food, the menu also features typical bar cuisine, including buffalo wings, burgers, sandwiches and salads. Catch the latest soccer or rugby match on one of 10 flat screen televisions. Mackey’s Public House also offers happy hour food and drink specials, including $5 margaritas on Wednesdays, plus it is conveniently located near the metro.

Susan Diranian is a freelance writer living in Ashburn, VA. She is covering Travel & Outdoors. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.